Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum (1941 film)


Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum is a 1941 Indian Tamil-language comedy film directed by K. S. Mani. The first Tamil film adaptation of the story Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, it stars N. S. Krishnan and T. A. Mathuram. The film was released on 15 March 1941, and was commercially unsuccessful. No print is known to survive, making it a lost film.

Cast

Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum was the first Tamil adaptation of the story Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. It was directed by K. S. Mani for the company Pakshiraja Films that was owned and operated by S. M. Sriramulu Naidu. N. S. Krishnan was cast as Ali Baba, and his wife T. A. Mathuram as the slave girl Morgiana. Thoothukudi Ramaswamy Aiyer portrayed a character named "Pulimoottai", which subsequently became his prefix. Shooting took place at Central Studios.

Soundtrack

The lyrics were written by K. P. Kamatchi, while the soundtrack was composed by N. S. Balakrishnan. One song performed by Krishnan himself, "Adichippoottaney Noguthadaa", attained popularity.

Reception

Film historian Randor Guy praised Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum for the "familiar storyline and the comical treatment that NSK gave his brainchild", but noted that the film was not successful. No print is known to survive, making it a lost film.